Browns defensive lineman Frostee Rucker rejected a complaint by the Steelers' Max Starks of improper tactics in last Sunday's Cleveland victory. "We don't come here with excuses if we don't come out on top," he said Wednesday. "They have more going on negative than we do."John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

Thursday: New Orleans vs. Atlanta

Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. at Georgia Dome. 

Early line: Falcons by 3½. 

TV/radio: NFL Network; WKRK FM/92.3. 

D-Man’s pick: Saints are in desperation mode, but Falcons are better and can rely on home-field advantage. Falcons, 27-24.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns defensive end Frostee Rucker is baffled by comments from Pittsburgh tackle Max Starks accusing him of cutting the legs out from under Steelers' offensive linemen on Sunday.

The Browns defense forced eight turnovers and held the Steelers to 49 yards rushing in a 20-14 win.

"I don't understand it," Rucker said. "I've played for seven years. I never heard that. A defensive line cutting? What does that mean? We just made the plays to win the game."

Several other defensive linemen also said they were unclear about Starks' remarks. The teams meet again for the regular-season finale on Dec. 30.

"Cleveland came up with some creative things, cutting offensive linemen. I'd never seen that in my nine years in the NFL," Starks told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review after the game. "But it happened, so the Steelers are now going to think it's all right doing that."

It is not illegal for defenders to cut an offensive lineman and it's a tactic sometime employed in goal-line stands allowing linebackers a more unobstructed path to the ball carrier.

Asked Wednesday to provide more clarity, Starks told the Tribune-Review it was Rucker who did the cutting and that the two players have had a contentious relationship over the years. Rucker spent six seasons with AFC North rival Cincinnati.

The free-agent acquisition said the Browns did nothing out of the ordinary against the Steelers.

"We don't come here with excuses if we don't come out on top," said Rucker, who played 49 percent of the defensive snaps on Sunday. "We give the team credit. They have more going on negative than we do."

"We don't come in here and cry about holding calls or anything like that. I don't know what to say about that."

Jackson honored: Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his role in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh. Jackson led the Browns with nine tackles, while also forcing a fumble and recovering another.

It's the first time the seventh-year veteran received the weekly honor. Jackson was asked about gaining more personal recognition if he played for a team with a better record.

"That's something you think about after the season, but I'm not about personal accolades," he said. "It's great, don't get me wrong. I put a lot of pride into what I do and I'm passionate about what I do. I love what I do and I love playing here in the city of Cleveland."

Patterson update: Cornerback Dimitri Patterson returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last six games with a left high-ankle sprain and a torn ligament. Patterson was limited in practice and didn't say for sure if he would play against Oakland.

"You don't want to be a liability and that was my main focus," Patterson said. "When I'm out there I want to be an asset. I feel right now I can be, so I'll just take it day by day."

Patterson likely will return to his role as the team's primary nickel back.

"I regret it and I deeply apologize," Carder said. "It wasn't used as a word to hurt people in the first place. It was slang. I can promise you it will never be used again."

Carder also apologized on his Twitter account Monday nearly a week after using the slur in an angry response to one of his social media followers. Reporters asked him what prompted his contrition regarding the Nov. 21 tweet, which he initially stood by, writing he was "unapologetically strong."

"Whenever people started getting offended," Carder said. "I had no idea. When I said it was not intended to be offensive to the gay community at all. When people started getting offended and tweeting me that's when I started to realize what I said was inappropriate."

Carder declined to say whether he had been fined by the team. Coach Pat Shurmur, no fan of social media, spoke to Carder about the tweet, which he labeled "very wrong" and not something the Browns condone.

Carder, a former TCU linebacker, said he received an email from former TCU player Vince Pryor, who revealed he was gay to his coaches and teammates while in college. Pryor wrote an open letter to Carder condemning his tweet for Outsports.com, a Web site covering gay sports news.

The Browns rookie said he plans to respond to Pryor's email.

No Babin interest: The Browns were not one of the teams that placed a waiver claim on defensive end Jason Babin, who was released by Philadelphia on Tuesday. Babin was awarded to the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9), who had the worst record of teams making a claim.

Browns injuries: Special teams ace Josh Cribbs, who injured his shoulder in Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, did not practice on Wednesday. Safety Usama Young has not been cleared for practice after being concussed against the Steelers. Safety Ray Ventrone said he's close to returning from a calf injury.

Raiders injuries: Oakland running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson returned to practice Wednesday. Both players have missed the past three games with high-ankle sprains. Barring setbacks, McFadden is likely to start for a team that ranks 29th in rushing, averaging 82.6 yards per game.

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